The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-09-10

given MIN SCr1cJ lnJuDcJ1On TO sell no
copies, but to distribute them gratu-
itously to the world" This sermon
was never published, and the statement
cannot now be verified 1t is among
the possibilities, however, that this
sermon may yet be discovered,-that in
future years, when Methodism will have
advanced far enough to permit its
members entertaining the larger hope
for the world, it may be brought into
the light as "a recently discovered man.
uscript of the late John Wesley"
Stranger things than this have hap
pened in the progress of religious opin-
ion.
In regard to the apparent conflict of
opinions witnessed in Wesley's writ
ings, Mr.. Stone, after quoting the pas
sages noted above, remarks eff the
sermons from which the foregoing cita-
lions are made, do not teach Restora-
ton, we despair of understanding Ian
guage. The discrepancies in the sew
eral parts of his works can be satisfae-
torily accounted for, only on the SUPPOSE
ton that he really did, as has been re-
ported, experience change in his sem
timents; and that which occurs in
favor of interminable sufferings was
written before the change was wrought.
His character for piety and integrity
forbids any other explanation" Mr..
Stone further suggests that the reason
why we are left in any uncertainty in
regard to Mr., Wesley's opinions on this
subject is that ~ he was unwilling to
jeopardize his popularity by frankly
avowing an obnoxious truth or (2)
that to preach it, except incidentally,
would defeat his life aim Of establish
ing Wesleyan Methodism on perma-
nent basis. Mr.. Stone closes his exam
ination of the subject by saying
"While we do not positively affirm Mr..
Wesley to have been a Restorationist,
we add that in our opinion the presump-
tive evidence that he was, is very
strong"
This evidence mainly consists in the
following facts:
G). Wesley always presented very
determined front to the Calvini5m of
his day, and in his writings never spared
its atrocious teachings in regard to
election and reprobation. Writing to
Rowland Hill he plainly said: Election
is the most horrid monster on earth !;
no name is bad enough for it, or for
them that hold it." He attacked Top
lady's ''Treatise on Predestination' Wig
orously, and never missed an opportu-
nifty of denouncing the horrid opinions
of many of his day in regard to eternal
punishment. This does not prove his
Universalism, and is entirely consistent
with his Arminian opinions, but it
shows that Wesley had no sympathy
with the extreme opinions current at
that time. May not this adherence Of
Calvinism have had its original root in
the more hopeful faith which he cher
ished ? We have sometimes thought
that Wesley damned Calvinism too
violently for one separated only from
its teachings in regard to eternal pun
ishment by a few degrees. When Whit
| field retorted on him for damning any
one by his Arminian creed, Wesley
was discreetly silent.
~. Winchester on his visit to London
in 1887, met John Wesley, and con-
tracted a friendship with him which
was severed only by death. Winches-
ter's faith in universal restoration was
then well understood. There is no
record that John Wesley ever put him
self in opposition to Winchester's teach
ing, or opposed in any way his mission
in London. Why not, if he believed
Winchester was teaching soul-de-
stroying error
(3). In case Wesley wished to oppose
the doctrine of the Restoration, he had
an excellent opportunity when presi-
dent of the Holy Club at Oxford. Sir
George Stonehouse was member of
this club, and freely and ably advocated
Restoration opinions. Wesley, after
promising to examine and answer Stone
houses arguments, never fulfilled the
promise. If Wesley discovered any
deadly error in the Restoration doc
trine, no doubt he would have been
willing to enter the list against Sir
George, and expose the same.
(4). The famous novel of the eigh-
teenth century, Henry Brooke's Fool
of Quality" ineulcated the doctrine of
the Restoration. Wesley published an
abridgment of this work, and it ap-
peared with his name as editor. Is it
likely that if Wesley regarded Univers-
alism as deadly error, that he would
thus assist in its PRONUNCIATION in this
attractive form ?
(5). Wesley also edited the tract of
Charles Bonnet, the Swiss metaphy-
stefan and philosopher, in which Restor-
ationism was taught very distinctly. In
1887, while in Ireland, he introduced
this tract to the public in the following
words: I" To the Reader: am happy
| in communicating to men of sense in